Hot wheel/bearing detection system

ABSTRACT

A casing for a hotbox detector scanner that has a detection device disposed within the casing, the casing including a top cover having a flat top horizontal surface with an opening therethrough to allow the detection device to detect a hot spot on a train, a baffle proximate the flat top horizontal surface to divert water blown across the top horizontal surface away from the opening, a vertical plate proximate the flat top horizontal surface extending downward into a cavity within the hotbox detector having a second opening therethrough to allow the detection device to detect the hot spot on the train, a base beneath the detection device, a drain hole formed therethrough the base, and an elevated-shaped drain cover with a leg to position the drain cover above the hole.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of rail transportationand, more particularly, to an improved hot bearing detection system toeffectively operate during adverse weather/environmental conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In extreme situations, the axle bearings of a rail car or locomotive canfail leading to bearing burn off and derailment. To detect suchsituations hot bearing detection systems, typically known as hotboxmonitors or detectors, are now installed along railways to monitor thecondition of rail car axles during transit.

A hotbox detector has a sensor device, or scanner, that is capable ofdetecting the temperature of a body passing within a given detectionzone. A typical hotbox detector utilizes pyroelectric infrared sensorsfor detecting heat profiles of the rail car wheel bearings as the railcars roll past the sensor. A known manufacturer of hotbox detectors isthe assignee of this invention.

A hot bearing on a locomotive or rail car is indicative of a potentialbearing breakdown and wheel seizure. When a hot spot is detected, thehotbox sends a signal to a central monitoring facility which, in turn,is then able to alert the train conductor to effect whatever action maybe appropriate under the circumstances. In another example, the alert istransmitted directly to an operator aboard the locomotive.

Current hotbox detectors may not operate effectively during adverseweather conditions, such as, but not limited to, rainstorms and/orsnowstorms, due to a buildup of water within the hotbox detector'sscanner and scanner optics. Further, adverse weather/environmentalconditions may also result in increasing an accumulation of particles,such as, but not limited to, dirt and dust, within the hotbox detector'sscanner optics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed towards an improved hot bearing detectionsystem to effectively operate during adverse weather conditions andenvironmental conditions. Towards this end, a casing for a hotboxdetector scanner that has a detection device disposed within the casingis disclosed. The casing comprises a top cover having a flat tophorizontal surface with an opening therethrough to allow the detectiondevice to detect a hot spot on the train. A baffle is also provided thatis proximate the flat top horizontal surface to divert water blownacross the top horizontal surface away from the opening. Also providedis a vertical plate proximate the flat top horizontal surface extendingdownward into a cavity within the hotbox detector scanner having asecond opening therethrough to allow the detection device to detect thehot spot on the train. A base beneath the detection device and a drainhole formed therethrough the base is also provided. In a preferredembodiment, more than one hold is provided. An elevated-shaped draincover with a leg to position the drain cover above the hole is alsoprovided.

In another preferred embodiment, a casing is disclosed for covering adetection device that is positioned to detect a hot spot on a train. Thecasing comprises a base upon which the detection device is placed, and atop covering having a flat horizontal top surface and side edges thatare proximate the base which together with the base form a cavity. Afirst opening therethrough the flat horizontal top surface of the topcovering is also provided, and through this opening the detection devicedetects the hot spot on the train. Also included is a vertical plateproximate the top covering and extending downward into the cavity, and asecond opening formed therethrough the vertical plate through which thedetection device detects the hot spot on the train. A plurality ofchambers is formed within the cavity due to a placement of the verticalplate, the base, the detection device, and the top covering. A drainhole is formed therethrough at least one of the base and the topcovering.

In another preferred embodiment a casing for covering a detection devicethat is positioned to detect a hot spot on a train is disclosed. Thecasing comprises a base upon which the detection device is proximate,and a drain hole formed therethrough the base. An elevated drain holecover extending into the cavity and creating an opening between a loweredge of the drain hole cover and the drain hole is also provided. A topcovering having a flat horizontal top surface and side edges that areproximate the base which together with the base form a cavity isdisclosed and it has a first opening therethrough the flat horizontaltop surface of the top covering through which the detection devicedetects the hot spot on the train.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a prior art top cover and base fora hotbox detector;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a top cover of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of the underside of the top cover ofthe present invention including a wire strung rodent guard and baffles;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of the internal area of a hotboxdetector scanner; and

FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of a drain plug cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Though the present invention is described as being used for a hotboxdetector scanner to detect hot bearings on a train, those skilled in theart will recognize that the present invention may also be utilized forother casings, or enclosures, that are to function in such weatherconditions as those involving rain, wind, and snow, and environmentalconditions where a greater amount of particulates are moved around.Furthermore, even though the present invention is described with respectto hotbox detector scanners for hot bearings on a train, those skilledin the art will readily recognize that the present invention may be usedto detect other hot spots, in particular on a train, such as, but notlimited to, a hot wheel. Thus, the scope of the present invention is notlimited to only hotbox detector scanners for hot bearings on a train.

In the prior art, illustrated in FIG. 1, the covering 10 for a hotboxdetector scanner 5 typically has a top plate 12 that has a sweep type,or curve, design. Such a design creates a negative air pressure. Throughanalysis it was determined that this sweep design resulted in side drainholes 14 located on the cover not letting water out while bottom drainholes 51 would actually pull, or suck, water into the hotbox detectorscanner when trains traveling over speeds of 40 miles per hour passedover.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a top cover of the presentinvention and FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of an underside topplate of the present invention. The negative air pressure created by thecurve plate is eliminated with a flat top plate 15. As furtherillustrated in FIG. 3, a baffle 20 is located on the top of the topplate 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the baffle 20 is actually twobaffles, each having an arrow shape. As illustrated further in FIG. 3,the baffles are defined at the edges of the top plate. Each arrow shapedbaffle 20 is positioned on opposite sides of the opening 22 throughwhich the detection device 25, or scanner, views the train bearings. Thebaffles 20 reduce the chance of water, which is being blown across thetop of the hotbox detector scanner 5, from entering through the scanneropening 22. In a preferred embodiment, the baffles 20 are indentationswithin the top plate 15. In a preferred embodiment baffles 20 are cutfrom the metal of the top plate 15. In another embodiment, the baffles20 are protrusions extending from the top plate 12. In another exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a wired covering, or wire strung 30,is placed over the opening 22 in the top plate 15. The purpose of thiscovering (interwoven strands of wire) is to keep small animals, such asmice, out of the hotbox detector scanner 5.

FIG. 3 is also an exemplary embodiment of the underside 32 of the topcover 15 of the present invention including the wire strung 30. Asillustrated, a vertically placed plate 34 is connected to the top plate15 and extends downward into the areas enclosed by the covering 10, orcasing. This vertical plate 34 is positioned near the opening 22 on theside of the opening 22 that the scanner optics area 40 is located. Anopening 36 is provided through the vertical plate 34 so that the scannercan view the train bearings. Those skilled in the art will readilyrecognize that this vertical plate 34 does not have to be completelyvertical. In other words, it may be near vertical where it is positionedso that the far end of the plate is further from the opening in the topplate, or closer to the opening in the top plate.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of the internal area of a hotboxdetector scanner. The top plate 15, the vertical plate 34 and thescanner 25 and its parts result in a series of chambers being formedwithin the covering 10. In an exemplary embodiment the chambers are allconnected by different sized and different angled openings. As the wind,rain, and/or snow enter the covering 10, the different elements creatingthe different sized cavities cause the air pressure and the air speed tochange. This results in the rain and/or snow becoming trapped in thevarious cavities. This also results in trapping blowing particles, suchas, but not limited to, dirt, sand, or dust, thus keeping the opticscleaner.

In addition to side drain holes 14, vents, or drain holes 51, areprovided on the bottom of the hotbox detector scanner 5 to let air inand water out. In the prior art, these drain holes 51 would drain veryslowly and were allowing water to pool inside the hotbox detectorscanner 5. Thus, when a train would pass over the hotbox detectorscanner 5, water within the hotbox detector scanner 5 would be disbursedwithin the hotbox detector scanner 5 (due to wind being blown in by thepassing train) and onto the optics 53 causing integrity failures of thehotbox detector scanner 5, and or low bearing heat readings.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of a drain plug cover, or cap, 61. Thedrain plug cover 61 may be made of nylon or another material that canwithstand environmental conditions expected to be experienced by thehotbox detector scanner 5. As illustrated, the drain plug cover 61 haslegs 63 so that the drain plug cover 61 extends above the base 59 of thehotbox detector scanner 5. An exemplary number of legs are three. Asfurther illustrated, the legs 63 have connection points 65, or notches,where the legs connect to the drain holes 51.

In an exemplary embodiment, the drain plug cover 61 is above thesurrounding base 59 with an air gap of approximately an eighth of aninch at the base 59 between the drain plug cover 61 and the base 59 ofthe hotbox detector scanner 5. The drain plug 61 is not flat, but has anelevated shape, such as a cone shape. With this elevated shape, dust,rain, and snow that is being moved beneath the base 59 cannot easilyenter the hotbox detector scanner 5 though the drain holes 51. The baseof the drain plug 61 is below the elevated scanning optics, mirrorand/or lens of the scanner 25. Thus, if any rain, snow and/or dustmanage to reach the scanner 25, the drain plug lip prevents theseelements from reaching the scanner optics.

While the invention has been described in what is presently consideredto be a preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intendedthat the invention not be limited to the specific illustrativeembodiment but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of theappended claims.

1. A casing for a hotbox detector scanner that has a detection devicedisposed within the casing, the casing comprising: a) a top cover havinga flat top horizontal surface with an opening therethrough to allow thedetection device to detect a hot spot on a train; b) a baffle proximatethe flat top horizontal surface to divert water blown across the flattop horizontal surface away from the opening; c) a vertical plateproximate the flat top horizontal surface extending downward into acavity within the hotbox detector having a second opening therethroughto allow the detection device to detect the hot spot on the train; d) abase beneath the detection device; e) a drain hole formed therethroughthe base; and f) an elevated-shaped drain cover with a leg to positionthe drain cover above the hole.
 2. The casing of claim 1 wherein thebaffle is positioned on opposing sides of the opening in the flat tophorizontal surface.
 3. The casing of claim 1 further comprisesinterwoven strands of a material fixed across the opening in the flattop horizontal surface wherein the strands do not interfere withallowing the detection device to detect a hot spot on the train.
 4. Thecasing of claim 1 wherein the cover prevents water from flowing into thedetector and particles from blowing up into the device.
 5. The casing ofclaim 1 wherein the drain cover has a cone-like shape.
 6. The casing ofclaim 1 wherein the top plate, the vertical plate and parts of thedetection device form chambers within the casing that have varied sizesand openings.
 7. The casing of claim 6 wherein the chambers cause aspeed of air passing within the casing to change velocity.
 8. The casingof claim 1 wherein the elevated-shaped drain cover minimizes at leastone of environmental conditions and weather conditions occurring beneaththe base from entering the cavity within the casing.
 9. A casing forcovering a detection device that is positioned to detect a hot spot on atrain, the casing comprising: a) a base upon which the detection deviceis placed; b) a top covering having a flat horizontal top surface andside edges that are proximate the base which together with the base forma cavity; c) a first opening therethrough the flat horizontal topsurface of the top covering through which the detection device detectsthe hot spot on the train; d) a vertical plate proximate the topcovering and extending downward into the cavity; e) a second openingformed therethrough the vertical plate through which the detectiondevice detects the hot spot on the train; f) a plurality of chambersformed within the cavity due to a placement of the vertical plate, thebase, the detection device, and the top covering; and g) a drain holeformed therethrough at least one of the base and the top covering. 10.The casing of claim 9 further comprises an elevated drain hole coverextending into the cavity and creating an opening between a lower edgeof the drain hole cover and the drain hole.
 11. The casing of claim 10wherein the elevated drain hole cover is cone-like in shape wherein thecone-like shape extends into the cavity.
 12. The casing of claim 10wherein the underside of the drain hole cover provides a location for atleast one of environmental conditions and weather conditions beneath thebase to reach without first entering the drain hole.
 13. The casing ofclaim 10 wherein the elevated drain hole cover is elevated by a leg thatextends from the lower edge of the drain hole cover.
 14. The casing ofclaim 9 further comprises a baffle proximate the opening in the flat tophorizontal surface.
 15. A casing for covering a detection device that ispositioned to detect a hot spot on a train, the casing comprising: a) abase upon which the detection device is proximate; b) a drain holeformed therethrough the base; c) an elevated drain hole cover extendinginto the cavity and creating an opening between a lower edge of thedrain hole cover and the drain hole; d) a top covering having a flathorizontal top surface and side edges that are proximate the base whichtogether with the base form a cavity; and e) a first openingtherethrough the flat horizontal top surface of the top covering throughwhich the detection device detects the hot spot on the train.
 16. Thecasing of claim 15 further comprises a vertical plate proximate the topcovering and extending downward into the cavity with a second openingformed therethrough the vertical plate through which the detectiondevice detects the hot spot on the train.
 17. The casing of claim 16wherein a plurality of chambers are formed within the cavity due toplacement of the vertical plate, the base, the detection device, and thetop covering.
 18. The casing of claim 15 wherein the elevated drain holecover is cone-like in shape wherein the cone-like shape extends into thecavity and an underside of the drain hole cover provides a location forat least one of environmental conditions and weather conditions beneaththe base to reach without first entering the drain hole.
 19. The casingof claim 15 wherein the elevated drain hole cover is elevated by a legthat extends from the lower edge of the drain hole cover.
 20. The casingof claim 15 further comprises a baffle proximate the opening in the flattop horizontal surface.